Proctalgia
/prɒkˈtæl.dʒə/noun
Pain in the anus or rectum.
Did you know?The ending -algia comes from Greek álgos, “pain,” the same root hidden in words such as neuralgia and nostalgia.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*prokto-
“A forward projection or protruding part; the proposed ancestral source of Greek proktós”
Ancient Greek
Greek
proktós
“Anus or rectum”
Ancient Greek
Greek
álgos
“Pain or bodily distress”
19th Century
Medical Latin
proctalgia
“Pain in the anus or rectum, formed from Greek proktós and álgos”
Modern English
English
proctalgia
“Anal or rectal pain; a clinical medical term”